Chicken Joe

There's a new coop-keeper in town and he goes by the name of Chicken Joe. Older siblings, otherwise occupied, left the position wide open and Joe stepped in to fill the gap. 

It began with the arrival of our new Amish-built mini barn. 

How exciting!

In short order, the coop was readied for its new tenants, and Joe moved the chicks from the brooder box to their new home. He spent hours sitting on the coop floor, playing with the fluffy babies. I think he would have slept out there if I had let him. 

As the chicks grew, Joe noticed their individual personalities emerge and the naming process began. Asparagus, a Light Brahma, was the first to be named and Joe claimed her as his very own. She loved to climb from Joe's hand up to his shoulder to hang out, sort of like a pirate's pet parrot. 

The other Light Brahmas were named Buttercup, Louise, and Candice. Louise and Buttercup are sweet birds. Candice is a dork.

Clover, a Black Australorp, was by far the most curious about any humans who entered the coop. Her favorite pastime was (and still is) pecking at Joe's freckles. Joe's frequent and exasperated exclamation, "Clover!" amused me to no end. 

The other Black Australorps were named Wednesday, Frankie, and Pearl.

A Plymouth Rock (Barred Rock) named Tulip soon became Clover's sidekick. She followed Clover's lead and even now the two are together more often than not. 

The Plymouth Rocks are quite friendly. Joey gave Rosie the nickname "Sweetie" and Judy is almost as gentle. Gidget, on the other hand, is a feathery pain in the tush who won't leave my rings alone. She behaves well if she's picked up, though.

Marshmallow, a Gold-laced Wyandotte, was quickly identified by Joe as our only truly naughty chick. She is cranky. She pecks hard. Chicken Joe will have none of it. He catches her up and carries her around, scolding her all the while. It's the chicken version of "time out."

The other Wyandottes were named Hazel, Pidge, and Debbie. Hazel is my personal favorite. She loves to be petted. As soon as your fingers reach her black and gold feathers, she sits down, and leans into your hand, eyes slowly closing. 

My oldest daughter and her husband added a couple of Lavender Orpingtons to the mix. Thistle and Blue Moon are just a bit older than the other chicks and tend to stick to themselves. Shy or stuck up? Time will tell. They're certainly beautiful birds, with soft, fluffy, pale gray feathers.

Keeping all the chick names straight was a difficult task and Joe suggested we band them. Even the smallest bands were too big for their tiny legs, so we began with nail polish in a stripe on their legs - a different color for each chick. Of course, the polish wore off and Joey was relieved when they had grown enough to wear the bands.

One by one, the girls got their new jewelry. Chicken Joe was so very careful as he placed the colorful plastic bands on each chick. Tulip was one of the first. After banding, she and Joe had a little chat about it. He assured her that yellow was a good color and went nicely with her lovely feathers.

He eventually convinced her. Tulip sat on his shoulder and watched as he banded the other girls, softly clucking advice into his ear. Afterward, Joe and I hung a sign in the coop yard that identified the chicks by breed and band color. He thinks the chicks like it.

(I'm not sure if you can make out the duck on the painted sign. 

Stay tuned. The duck story is coming soon.)

Chicken Joe has taken on his new role with much enthusiasm and it's a pleasure to watch. I think this is the beginning of something wonderful.

Tulip agrees.